A method for coupling to a chair a neck pillow and a neck pillow for use in the method

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method for clamping a neck pillow to a chair with a backrest and a headrest, comprising the step of providing a neck pillow with a deformable coupling element and placing the coupling element clampingly in an opening between the backrest and the headrest. The present invention also relates to a neck pillow for use in a method according to the present invention, comprising a deformable coupling element for placing in an opening between a backrest and a headrest of a chair.

The present invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a neck pillow for use in this method.

It is known in the art to wear a neck pillow. Especially among travelers, a neck pillow is popular because it allows easy rest in a chair without a painful neck. Usually, a neck pillow is worn around the neck so that the head does not fall completely to the side when sitting in a chair. However, the neck pillow can then shift, so that support is no more provided. Since the use of a neck pillow is intended for use in chairs with a head rest, such as car seats or airplane seats, the solution to this problem has been devised to provide a band to the neck pillow which can be attached around a chair. The disadvantage of this is that the clamping around the chair must be very tight to prevent shifting. Another disadvantage is that there is a loose band which must have a large dimension to fit around every seat.

There is therefore a need for an improved neck pillow.

In particular, there is a need for a neck pillow that can provide continuous support without the risk of the shifting of the neck pillow.

In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a neck pillow which can be fastened easily and quickly to a chair, in particular to a car seat.

In order to obtain at least one of the aforementioned advantages, the invention according to a first embodiment provides a method comprising the features of claim 1. This method has the advantage that a neck pillow can be attached to the chair without the neck pillow being able to shift. An optimal support is thereby ensured.

It has also been found that the method according to the invention can be used for attachment of the pillow to a chair very quickly and very easily without additional aids. Such a synergistic effect is completely unexpected.

According to a first aspect, the invention therefore relates to a method for clamping a neck pillow to a chair with a backrest and a headrest, comprising the step of providing a neck pillow with a deformable coupling element and placing the coupling element clampingly in an opening between the backrest and the headrest.

In order to obtain a suitable insertion and clamping of the neck cushion in the opening between the backrest and the headrest, it is preferred that the deformable coupling element comprising at least one of:—a compressible material and—a gas-tight chamber, preferably with a valve for supplying gas into the chamber or extracting gas from the chamber. As a result, a suitable clamping can be ensured at all times. The term “gastight” here means that the chamber is substantially gas-tight during use, but that a gas can be supplied or removed by means of a valve, as desired, for example before or after use. A “compressible material” may suitably be a foam material with open or closed cells.

When the coupling element has a gas-tight chamber, the method preferably comprises the step of placing the coupling element in the opening and supplying gas to the gas-tight chamber via the valve. This provides the advantage that the coupling element can easily be placed in the opening, after which an adequate clamping is obtained by supplying gas in the chamber. For example, so much gas can be supplied that the coupling element cannot be removed from the opening. By opening the valve, gas can be removed from the chamber so that the coupling element can be removed from the opening and the neck pillow can be stored or attached to another chair.

Preference is therefore especially given to a method for clamping a neck pillow to a chair with a backrest and a headrest, comprising the step of providing a neck cushion with a deformable coupling element and placing the coupling element clampingly in an opening between the backrest and the headrest, the method being characterized in that the deformable coupling element comprises at least one gas-tight chamber with a valve for supplying gas to the chamber or extracting gas from the chamber; the method further being characterized in that the method comprises the step of placing the coupling element in the opening and supplying gas to the gas-tight chamber via the valve. This provides an optimum result.

In order to obtain an accurately defined coupling, it is preferred that the coupling element has a circumference with two opposite wall parts, at least one of the wall parts comprising a notch directed towards the other wall part. This is particularly advantageous in car seats, where a headrest is usually attached to the backrest by means of two rods. At least one of these rods can then be inserted into the at least one notch so that a firm coupling is obtained.

In particular, it is preferred that both opposite wall parts comprise a notch, each receiving one of those rods such that an optimal coupling is obtained.

If the neck cushion comprises a head support element which extends to a position above the opening between the backrest and the head restraint, that support element shall, as far as possible, abut at least a part of the headrest to provide optimal support for the head of a user and the support element should preferably not move away from the head rest. In that case it is preferred that the support element comprises a fastening element, wherein the method according to the present invention further comprises the step of fastening the fastening element around the headrest. The positioning of the neck cushion is ensured in itself because the coupling element is placed in the opening; the fastening element ensures that the support element does not move away from the head rest.

The neck pillow according to the invention may advantageously comprise a first side support for positioning near a first side of the headrest and comprising a second side support for positioning near an opposite second side of the headrest. This fully supports the head of a user both left and right so that the head cannot fall sideways.

Particularly when the side supports extend from the headrest, although not limited to such an embodiment, the two side supports are coupled to a fastening element, which method comprises the step of fastening the fastening element around the headrest. As a result, the side supports will remain positioned near the headrest and can therefore offer optimum support.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a neck pillow for use in a method according to the present invention as mentioned above, comprising a deformable coupling element for placing in an opening between a backrest and a headrest of a chair. As a result, the effects and advantages are obtained as mentioned above with reference to the method according to the invention.

The preferred embodiments described here on the basis of the method can each be implemented independently in the neck pillow according to the invention. The same or similar effects and advantages will be obtained with such a preferred neck pillow. Some special preferences will be described below.

It is especially preferred in the neck pillow according to the invention that the deformable coupling element comprises at least one of:—a compressible material and—a gas-tight chamber, preferably with a valve for supplying a gas to the chamber or extracting gas from the chamber. This provides a simple insertion of the coupling element into the opening as well as a suitable clamping therein.

In particular, a suitable clamping in the opening of a car seat can be obtained when the coupling element has a circumference with two opposite wall parts, at least one of the wall parts comprising a notch directed towards the other wall part. In other words, the coupling element can have a part protruding at the front of the chair and have a part protruding at the rear of the chair. At an intermediate position, the coupling element is then made thinner, that is to say that the distance between the two opposite wall parts which lie against the rods is smaller than at a position behind the rods and a position in front of the rods. The indications “in front of” and “behind” indicate a position during use on a chair where the term “in front of” indicates the side where a user of the chair is located.

In particular, the neck pillow will comprise a notch at both opposite wall parts to properly clamp the coupling element into the opening by receiving the two bars of the headrest into the notches.

In order to prevent parts of the neck pillow from falling away from the headrest, it is preferred that the neck pillow according to the invention comprises a fastening element for attachment around the headrest.

Excellent support is obtained when the neck pillow according to the invention comprises a first side support for positioning near a first side of the headrest and a second side support for positioning near an opposite second side of the headrest.

In order to prevent the two side supports from falling away from the headrest also in this case, both side supports are preferably coupled to a fastening element for attachment around the headrest. The fastening element can for instance be a belt, cord or strap, optionally elastic.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The drawing shows in:

FIG. 1 a schematic side view of a neck pillow according to the invention during use on a car seat,

FIG. 2 a schematic top view in partial view of a neck pillow according to the invention during use on a car seat,

FIG. 3 a schematic front view in partial view of a neck pillow according to the invention during use on a car seat.

In the figures, the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. However, the parts necessary for a practical implementation of the invention are not all shown, due to the simplicity of the drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a neck pillow 1 which is coupled to a car seat 2. The car seat 2 comprises a backrest 3 and a headrest 4. As usual, an opening is present between the backrest and the headrest 4 in that the headrest 4 by means of two rods 5, 6 (see also FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) is movably attached to the backrest 3. The neck pillow 1 comprises a coupling element 7 which is passed through the opening which is defined by the two rods 5, 6, the backrest 3 and the headrest 4. The neck pillow 1 shown in the figures also comprises two side supports 8, 9 which respectively extend at a left side and a right side of the head of a user (not shown). This makes the head well supported when a user wants to rest or sleep.

The side supports 8, 9 extend from a front side of the head support 4 so that the head of the user will be at least partly between the two side supports 8, 9.

FIG. 2 shows that a rear side 10 and a front side 11 of the coupling element 7 are wider than the distance between the two rods 5, 6. As a result, a suitable clamping of the coupling element between the two rods 5, 6 and therefore in the opening, be obtained. Therefore, the neck cushion 1 will not simply be able to come out of the opening or otherwise shift. An intermediate part 12 located between the front side 11 and rear side 10 preferably clamps between the two rods 5, 6 with some compressive force.

In FIG. 3 a schematic, partially transparent front view of the combination of neck pillow 1 and seat 2 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown. Clearly the side supports 8, 9 can be seen between which a user can place his head. Furthermore, a fastening element 13 in the form of a belt 13 with a buckle 14 is shown, also shown in FIG. 1, which ensures that the side supports 8, 9 do not fall away from the headrest. The side supports are coupled to the coupling element 7 and, due to their weight, however slight it may be, they could tilt slightly forward which could hinder a user. The belt 13 prevents this movement.

Preferably, the parts of the neck pillow 1 which come into contact with the head of a user, in particular the parts 8, 9, 11, may have a lower hardness than the parts which contact the seat 2, such as the parts 7 and 12. This provides a great degree of comfort to the user while the coupling with the chair is very good which further contributes to a great comfort.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the figures. The invention is only limited by the appended claims.

The invention also extends over any combination of measures which are described independently in the above description. 

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A method for clamping a neck pillow to a chair with a backrest and a headrest, comprising the steps of providing a neck pillow with a deformable coupling element and placing the coupling element clampingly in an opening between the backrest and the headrest.
 18. The method according to claim 17, the deformable coupling element comprising at least one of: a compressible material; and a gas-tight chamber.
 19. The method according to claim 18, the deformable coupling element comprising a gas-tight chamber with a valve for supplying gas into the chamber or extracting gas from the chamber.
 20. The method according to claim 19, additionally comprising the step of placing the coupling element in the opening and supplying gas to the gas-tight chamber via the valve.
 21. The method according to claim 17 wherein the deformable coupling element comprises at least one gas-tight chamber with a valve for supplying gas to the chamber or extracting gas from the chamber and wherein the method additionally comprises the step of placing the coupling element in the opening and supplying gas to the at least one gas-tight chamber via the valve.
 22. The method according to claim 17 wherein the coupling element has a circumference with two opposite wall parts, at least one of the wall parts comprising a notch directed towards the other wall part.
 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein both opposite wall parts comprise a notch.
 24. The method according to claim 17, wherein the neck pillow comprises a support element with fastening element which abuts at least a part of the headrest, the method further comprising the step of fastening the fastening element around the headrest.
 25. The method according to claim 17, wherein the neck pillow comprises a first side support for positioning near a first side of the headrest and a second side support for positioning near an opposite second side of the headrest.
 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the two side supports are coupled to a fastening element, and the method further comprises the step of fastening the fastening element around the headrest.
 27. A neck pillow for use in the method according to claim 17, comprising a deformable coupling element for placing in an opening between a backrest and a headrest of a chair.
 28. The neck pillow according to claim 27, wherein the deformable coupling element comprises at least one of: a compressible material; and a gas-tight chamber.
 29. The neck pillow according to claim 28, wherein the deformable coupling element comprises a gas-tight chamber with a valve for supplying a gas to the chamber or extracting gas from the chamber.
 30. The neck pillow according to claim 28, wherein the coupling element has a circumference with two opposite wall parts, at least one of the wall parts comprising a notch directed towards the other wall part.
 31. The neck pillow according to claim 30, wherein both opposite wall parts comprise a notch.
 32. The neck pillow according to claim 28, additionally comprising a fastening element for attachment around the head rest.
 33. The neck pillow according to claim 28, additionally comprising a first side support for positioning near a first side of the headrest and a second side support for positioning near an opposite second side of the headrest.
 34. The neck pillow according to claim 33, wherein the two side supports are coupled to a fastening element for attachment around the headrest. 